Magic’s Dwight Howard as Barack Obama’s secretary of Defense?

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Dwight Howard didn’t get the job he wanted when someone on Barack Obama’s staff called a while back. But the NBA’s leading shot-blocker did get an invitation to attend Tuesday’s inauguration as a guest of the president-elect.

What spot did Howard think he should have gotten? ‘Like secretary of Defense,’ the Orlando Magic center told the Associated Press.

Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy agreed to reschedule practices so Howard, who took part in an Obama campaign rally, could be in Washington for the inauguration.

‘For him to have the opportunity, especially by invitation, to go up and really witness history, I think it’s great for him,’ Van Gundy said. ‘There’s actually a lot of things bigger than basketball. We take it seriously because it’s our job, but I think in the scheme of things, we all know.’

‘It’s a big honor,’ Howard said of the opportunity to attend the historic inauguration. ‘It’s going to be history, and I’m just glad to be a part of it. I was kind of upset at Obama because I wanted to be the first black president. That was always my dream. ... But I’m just happy to be there, just to be able to say I lived to see the first black president, it’s special.’

-- Greg Johnson